Elizabeth Tate facts for kids

Bettye Tate was a brave woman who helped fight for civil rights in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. She worked to end segregation, which was when people of different races were kept apart. Bettye Tate made a big difference, especially for African Americans who wanted to go to college.

Who Was Bettye Tate?

Her Early Life and Work

Bettye Tate was born on June 22, 1906, and lived until September 11, 1999. She finished high school in Fairfield, Iowa, in 1926. Later, she worked in a special heart lab at the University of Iowa hospital. She worked there for many years, retiring in 1976.

A Special Home for Students

In 1938, Bettye Tate bought a house in Iowa City, Iowa. At that time, many places in the United States had segregation. This meant that African-American students were often not allowed to live in the regular university dorms or housing.

Bettye Tate's house became a special boarding house for these African-American students. It was a "home away from home" where they could live safely and comfortably while studying. Bettye Tate did the cooking for the students, and they helped by cleaning the house.

This house, called Tate Arms, became very important. In 2014, it was named an historic landmark. Then, in 2020, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a very important place in American history. Bettye Tate sold the building in 1979.

Remembering Bettye Tate

Bettye Tate's work helped many students and made a lasting impact. To honor her, Iowa City named its alternative high school, Tate High School, after her in 2005.